Automatic milking unit

ABSTRACT

An automatic milking unit to be associated with a milking stall or palor. The milking unit includes a vertical shaft and a housing is mounted for sliding movement on the shaft and carries an arm that supports a milking claw. The housing is biased upwardly to a storage position and when manually lowered, it follows a cam track which rotates the milking claw to a position beneath the cow&#39;&#39;s udder and is locked in the lowered position. The milking claw is connected by a hose to a milk receptacle adjacent the stall and an automatic release mechanism is incorporated with the receptacle so that the vacuum to the claw and teat cups will be automatically shut off when the milk flow ceases. Cessation of the milk flow releases the teat cups and also acts to unlock the housing so that the arm and claw will be urged upwardly to the storage position.

9/ 1 972 Tonelli 119/14.08

Primary Examiner-Hugh R. Chamblee Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Andrus,Sceales, Starke & Sawall 0 United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,789,798

Reisgies et al. Feb. 5, 1974 [5 1 "AUTOMATIC MILKING UNIT 57 [75]Inventors: Rolf W. Reisgies, Madison; Franklin An automatic milking unitto be associated with a B. Jones, Delavan, both of Wis. milking stallorpalor. The milking unit includes a ver- I tical shaft and a housing ismounted for sliding move- [73] Asslgnee' m Ind Delavan ment on the shaltand carries an arm that supports a milking claw. The housing is biasedupwardly to a [22] Filed: Aug. 10, 1972 storage position and whenmanually lowered, it follows a cam track which rotates the milking clawto a Appl' 279337 position beneath the cows udder and is locked in thelowered position. The milking claw is connected by a [52] U. S. Cl. 119/14.08 hose to a milk receptacle adjacent the stall and an au- [51] Int.Cl. Atllj 5/04 tomatic release mechanism is incorporated with the [58]Field of Search 119/ 14.08 receptacle so that'the vacuum to the claw andteat cups will be automatically shut off when the milk flow [56]References Cited ceases. Cessation of the milk flow releases the teatUNITED STATES PATENT cups and also acts to unlock the housing so thatthe 3,246,631 4/1966 Holm 119/1408 x amtand claw will be urged upwardlyto the Wage 3.55 .053 1/1971 Pad e1 at 399299;. a 3,690,300 "W d V 7' 7Ww 27 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures 1 AUTOMATIC MILKING UNIT BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION not only the use of automatic milkers and releasemechanisms for automatically releasing the teat cups from the teats oncompletion of milking, but has also taken the form of automated systemsof cow preparation, milking and discharge, thereby enabling a singledairyman to more efficiently and quickly milk a greater number of cows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an automatic milkingsystem which incorporatess an improved automatic release mechanism alongwith a retractable claw supporting structure so that the teat cups ofthe claw will be automatically released from the cows teats oncompletion of milking and the claw will be withdrawn to a storagelocation. More specifically, the automatic milking s'ytem included asupporting column which is mounted adjacent the milking stall and ahousing is mounted for sliding vertical movement on the column. Thehousing carries an arm that supports a milking claw, and associated withthe column is a guide track which acts to pivot the arm inwardly as thehousing is lowered on the column, to thereby move the claw to a positionbeneath the cows udder. I

The housing is adapted to be biased upwardly with respect to the columnto a storage position by a spring mechanism. For milking, the housingand arm are manually lowered, and the housing rides on the guide trackto rotate the claw to a position beneath the cows udder and the arm andclaw are locked in the lowered position.

The claw is connected by a hose to a milk receiving cup located adjacentthe supporting columnand an automatic release mechanism is incorporatedwith the cup so that the vacuum to the teat cups of the claw will beautomatically shut off when the milk flow ceases, and the teat cups willthereby be automatically released from the cows teats. Cessation of themilk flow also acts to release the locking mechanism for the housing sothat the spring mechanism will urge the claw and arm upwardly to thestorage position.

With the milking system of the invention, the claw and supporting armare automatically retracted after the milking operaion has beencompleted to a position over the operators head. At this elevatedposition,'the claw will not restrict access of the operator movingthrough the aisle adjacent the milking stalls and there is nopossibility of the claw or supporting arm being accidently kicked by thecow in the stall.

The milking system eliminates a substantial portion -of the laborinvolved in miling and enables one operator to handle more cows in amore efficient manner. After applying the teat cups to the cows udderand ad justing the location of the claw, the molking operation canproceed to completion without supervision for the operator is notrequired to remove the teat cups from the cows udder, nor is he requiredto move the claw from beneath the cows udder, for the teat cups areautomatically released and the claw is automatically re tracted to theupper storage position at the completion of the milking operation.

The milking system includes a mster automatic release mechanismfor-teats and the release mechanism eliminates overmilking and possibleinjury to the cows udder.

As a further advantage, the milking system is-particularly adaptable toclean-in-place techniques and the washing solution can be conveyedthrough the unit following the same path as the milk to completely cleanall of the components without disassembly.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of the folliwingdescription.

The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carryingout the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a herringbone milking parlorincorporating the milking system of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken alongline 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the milking unit showing the housing andclaw supporting am in the upper stor-' age operation position;

FIG; 4 is a side elevation of the milking unit of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 and showing the housing and arm inthe lower milking position;

FIG. is a top view of the milking unit shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the supporting arm for the milking claw;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevation with parts broken away showing theattachment of the central arm section to the inner arm section;

FIG. 9 is a vertical section of the automatic release mechanism with thefloat in the lower position;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9, showing the float in the upperposition;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged side elevation showing the FIG. 13 is a verticalsection showing the attachment of the claw assembly to the outer armsection; and

FIG. 14 is a wiring diagram. FIG. 1 illustrates a milking system of theinvention,

as associated with a herringbone type of milking parlor.

It is contemplated however that the milking system of the invention canbe utilized with any type of milking parlor or milking stall, and theuse of the herringbone parlor is merely illustrativeof the practice ofthe invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 theparlor includes a floor or foundation 1 andparallel guide rail assemblies 2 and 3 are mounted on the foundation. Aseries of feed trays 4 are mounted on guide rail assembly 2 and providefeed for the cows while they are being milked in the parlor.

The cows are admitted to the milking area between the guide railassemblies 2 and 3 through an entry gate 5 which is manually opened andclosed through an operating mechanism indicated generally by 6. Aftermilking, the cows are discharge from the parlor through an exit gate 7,which extends between the rail assemblies 2 and 3.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the floor or foundation 1 of the milkingparlor is located adjacent a depression or pit 8 and the pit provides anaccess area for the operator. A series of supporting frames, indicatedgenerally by 9, are mounted above the floor 1 adjacent the pit and eachof the frame 9 supports a milking unit 10. As shown in FIG. 1, there arefour milking units 10 associated with the parlor, but this number canvary depending on the size of the milking operation.

As shown in FIG. 5, each of the supporting frames 9 includes a pair ofspaced vertical columns 11, and the columns 11 are connected by a seriesof horizontal supports 12. In addition, the upper ends of columns 11support a horizontal tubular track 13 and each milking unit 10 issuspended for travel on the track. More specifically, a pair of trolleys14 are mounted to ride within the tubular track, 13 and a bracket 15connects the trolley wheels of each trolley and extends downwardlywithin a slot formed in track 13. The lower end of each bracket isprovided with an opening that communicates with a tapered slot definedby the V-shaped extension 16. Each milking unit 10 includes a verticalchannel 17 and studs 18 are connected to the upper portion of thechannel and are wedged within the respective tapered slots of bracketextensions 16 to thereby suspend the milking unit from the trolleys l5and permit the milking unit to be moved along the track 14.

To prevent the milking unit 10 from swaying in a direction toward andaway from the milk stall,.a guide 19 is carried by a bracket assembly 20connected to the rear surface of channel 17, and the guide 19 bearsagainst one of the rails 3. Engagement of the guide 19 with the railmaintains the milking unit in a generally vertical position and theguide can ride along the rail if the milking unit 10 is moved along thetrack 14.

Each of the milking units 10 also includes a vertical shaft or column 21which is spaced forwardly of the channel 17, and the lower end of theshaft is supported on a base 22 that is secured to'channel 17 throughangle bracket 23. The upper end of the shaft 18 is provided with a cap24 which is connected to the upper end of the channel 17 through anangle bracket 25.

Mounted for sliding movement on the shaft 21 is a cylindrical housing 26and a support arm 27 is welded to the housing and extends downwardlyfrom the housing with the lower portion of the support arm beinggenerally parallel to the shaft 18. The lowerend of the support arm 27carries a claw-supporting arm assembly including a sleeve 28 which ismounted for rotation on the lower end of support arm 27 and bearsagainst a fixed collar 29 secured to the lower end of the support arm27. To limit the degree of rotation of the sleeve 28 with respect to thesupport arm 27, the lower edge of the sleeve is provided with aprojection 30 that is received within an arcuate notch 31 formed in thecollar 29. Engagement of the projection 30 with the side edges of thenotch 31 limits the degree of rotation of the sleeve 28 with respect tothe support arm 27.

The arm assembly which supports the milking claw includes a generallyhorizontal tubular arm 32 having its inner end welded to the sleeve 28.One end of a generally L-shaped arm 33 is slidably received within theouter end of arm 32 and is locked therein by a locking screw 34 which'isprovided with an outer handle 35. Screw 34 is threaded within a nut 36welded on the outer end of arm 32, and by threading the screw inwardly,the inner end of the screw will bear against the L-shaped arm 33 to lockthe arm in position with respect to the arm 32.

This construction provides an adjustable connection between arms 32 and33. For example, the end of the L-shaped arm 33 can be moved axiallywith respect to the arm 32 and canvalso be rotated about the axis of arm32, thereby providing adjustment between the two arms.

The outer end of the L-shaped arm 33 is provided with a hole 37 whichreceives the bent vertical end 38 of an outer arm 39. The bent end 38projects through the hole 37 and is locked with respect to the L-shapedarm 33 by a locking ring 40 which is received within a peripheral groovein the projecting end 38.

The outer end of the arm 39 is welded to a cylindrical block 41 having acentral threaded passage 42 that terminates in a seat 43. The block 41is adapted to provide an adjustable support for a bale assembly 44 whichcarries a milking claw 45. To attach the bale assembly 44 to the block41, the side of the block, 90 from the attachment of the arm 39, isprovided with a keyhole shaped slot 46 which receives the ball 47 andstem 48 of the bale assembly. Stem 48 is connected to a bale 49 whichsupports the claw 45. The ball 47 and stem 48 are inserted within theslot 46 and the ball 47 is lowered into engagement with the seat 43. Theball is locked with respect to the seat 43 by a locking nut 50 which isthreaded within the central opening 42. Handle 51 is secured to the nut50, and by rotating the handle 51 the lock nut can be threaded down tothereby lock the ball 47 against the seat 43 to fix the position of thebale 49 and-claw 45. The use of the ball connection provides a universaladjustment for the position of the claw 45.

The claw 45 is a conventional type and includes four teat cups 52 whichare adpated to be secured to the cows teats. Milk from the teat cups 52is conducted to the claw 45 and then flows through hose 53 to theautomatic release mechanism, as will be hereinafter described.

The arm assembly provides universal adjustment for the claw 45 so thatthe claw can be located in any desired position or inclination withrespect to the cows udder. For example, the L-shaped arm 33 can be movedaxially with respect to the horizontal arm 32, to change the lateralposition of the claw 45, as well as being rotated with respect to thearm 32 to vary the inclination of the claw. An adjustment is alsoprovided by the arm 39 which is capable of pivoting about the axis ofthe hole 37 in the L-shaped arm 33, and a further adjustment can beachieved by the rotational movement of the ball 47 of bale assembly 44on the seat 43.

The arm assembly which carries the claw 45 is adapted to be moved froman upper storage position, in which the claw is located above the pit 8and over the operators head, to a milking position in which the claw islocated beneath the cows udder as illustrated in FIG. 2. The housing 26and the attached arm assembly which carries the claw 45 is biased to theupper to the fixed shaft 59. With this construction, the resiliency ofthe clock spring 58 will tend to rotate drum 57 in a direction to coilthe cable 56 on the drum 57 and thereby urge the housing 26 upwardly. Bypulling the housing 26 downwardly against the force of the spring 58,the cable 56 will be unwound from the drum 57.

To support the spring mechanism 54, a bracket 60 connects the end plate61 of the drum 57 to the supporting channel 17. Additional support isprovided by a horizontal support 62 which extends between the upper endof the channel 17 and the brackets 60.

The housing 26 is adpated to be moved downwardly by the operator againstthe force of the spring 58 to position the claw 45 beneath the cow'sudder in preparation for milking. To guide the housing in downwardmovement, a roller 63 is mounted for rotation on the shaft 55 and theroller 63 is adapted to ride on one of a pair of rod-like tracks 64 and65, which are generally parallel to the shaft 21. Tracks 64 and 65 aresupported from the channel 17 by a pair of generally U-shaped supports66. The ends of the supports 66 are bolted to the channel 17, while thesupports are Welded to the respective tracks 64 and 65 at locationswhere they will not interfere with the movement of the roller 63 on thetracks.

As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the lower end 67 of each track 64 and 65is curved outwardly. Only one of the two tracks 64 and 65 is used for aparticular installation, but the two tracks enable the milking unit tobe mounted either in a left or right hand manner.

To move the housing 26 and the attached arm assembly and claw 45 to themilking position, the operator, standing in the pit 8, will reach up andgrasp the arm assembly and pull downwardly against the force of thespring 58. Roller 63 will then ride downwardly on track 64, and as theroller approaches the lower curved end 67, the operator will move thearm assembly and claw 45 laterally to a position where the claw isbeneath the cows udder and the roller will follow the curved track end67.

To lock the housing 26 in the lower milking position, the lower portionof the housing is provided with a peripheral ledge 68 which engages aspring loaded plunger 69 to maintain the housing 26 in the lowerposition. As the housing 26 is lowered, the lower beveled edge 70 onledge 68 will ride against the plunger 69, forcing the plunger inwardly.After the ledge 68 has passed beneath the plunger, the plunger willreturn outwardly to a location above ledge 68 to prevent upward movementof the housing 26 and the claw supporting arm assembly.

As best illustrated in FIG. 11, the plunger 69 is mounted for slidingmovement'within a sleeve assembly 71 which is mounted within a generallyrectangular casing 72 attached to the front surface of channel 17. Theouter end of the plunger 69 is provided with an enlarged head 73 and acoil spring 74 is interposed between the head 73 and the outer surfaceof the casing 72, thereby urging the plunger 69 to the outer or lockingposition.

The inner end of the plunger 69 is connected to the yoke 75 of theplunger 76 of a solenoid 77 by a pin 78. Energizing of the solenoid 77,as will be hereinafter described, will move the plunger 69 inwardlyagainst the force of spring 74 to thereby release the housing 26 andpermit the clock spring 58 to move the housing 26 upwardly to the upperstorage position. As the housing 26 is urged upwardly by the spring 58,the roller 63 will ride along the curved end 67 of track 64, therebypivoting the arm assembly and claw 45 approximately 90 to remove theclaw from the position above foundation 1 to a position above the pit 8.As the roller 63 continues to ride upwardly on the straight portion ofthe track 64, the claw 45 will then move vertically to the storageposition above the head of the operator in pit 8.

Each of the milking units 10 incorporates an automatic releasemechanism, indicated generally by 79, which will release the teat cupsfrom the cows teats when the flow of milk has ceased. As best shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, the automatic release mechanism includes a cup orcontainer 80 having an open upper end that is enclosed by a removablehead 81. To secure the head 81 to the cup 80, the upper edge of the cupis provided with a flange 82 that is secured to the peripheral edge ofthe head by a clamping ring 83 and a sealing ring 84 is located withinthe joint.

The head 81 also includes a central upwardly extending section 85 and aninlet nipple 86 is located in the section 85. The hose 53, which isattached to claw 45, extends through an opening 87 in casing 72 and isattached to nipple 86 so that milk from the claw is con- I ducted to theinterior of the head 81.

The lower end or base 88 of head 81 is provided with an opening 89 thatdefines a valve seat, and opening 89 is adapted to be opened and closedby a valve 90. When valve 90 is in the open position, milk entering thehead section 85 through nipple 86 will flow downwardly through theopening 89 into cup 80.

Valve 90 is carried by a stem 91 that is connected to the lower end of arod 92 by a screw 93. The upper end of rod 92 is attached through pin 94to a yoke 95 on the end of the plunger 96 of solenoid 97. The solenoid97 is connected by a mounting plate 98' to the wall of the casing 72.Energizing of the solenoid 97 acts to draw the plunger 96 and valve stem91 upwardly to open the valve 90.

To aid in returning the valve 90 to the closed position von deenergizingof solenoid 97, a diaphragm 99 is connected between the abutting ends ofvalve stem 91 and rod 93, and the peripheral edge of the diaphgram isclamped between a flange 100 on head section 85 and a ring 101 byannular clamp 102. Sleeve 103 extends upwardly from ring 101 and servesas a guide for the sliding movement of rod 93.

When the solenoid is deenergized the pressure differential acting on theopposite surfaces of the diaphragm 99 will provide a relatively fastsnap action to move the valve 90 to the closed position. Morespecifically, thev upper surface of the diaphragm 99 is exposed toatmospheric pressure while the under surface is subject to vacuum orsub-atmospheric pressure, and the pressure differential will urge thediaphragm downwardly, after deenergizing of solenoid 97, to aid inreturning the valve 90 to the closed position. Mounted centrally withinthe cup 80 is a vertical post or colunn 104 and an annular float 105 ismounted around the post 104 and follows the levelof milk in cup 80. Asshown in FIGS. 9 and 10, an annular magnet 106 is embedded within thelower portion of the float 105, and magnet 106 is adapted to actuate aconventional re'ed switch 107 which is located within a central boreformed in the lower portion of post 104 and within an aligned opening ina sleeve 108 which extends downwardly from the bottom surface of cup 80.An electrical lead or conductor 109 extends in sealed relation throughthe sleeve 108 and is-connected to the reed switch 107.

During the milking operation, milk enters the cup 80 through the opening89 and as the milk level rises in the cup, the float 105 rises and themilk overflows through the outlet nipple 110 in the side wall of thecup. A hose 111 is attached to nipple 110 and extends through an openingin casing 72 and communicates with the vacuum pipeline.

Milk is adapted to drain from the cup 80 through a drain opening 1 12formed in the bottom wall of cup 80, and the drain opening 112 isconnected by hose 1 13 to the hose 111. To restrict the flow of milkthrough the drain opening 1 12, a plug 1 14 is located within the hose113 and has a restricted opening or orifice 115.

Under normal milking conditions, the flow of milk into the cup 80through opening 89 will exceed the rate at which milk can drain throughdrain outlet 112, so that the milk level will rise in cup 80 until themilk overflows through the outlet nipple 110. As the cow is milked outand the flow of milk from the claw 45 decreases below the rate ofdraining through drain opening 112, and the milk level will descend incup 80 and the float 105 will correspondingly descend.

As previously noted, hose 111 is connected to'the vacuum pipeline sothat the interior of the cup 80 is normally subjected to vacuum orsub-atmospheric pressure. The valve 90 is normally closed when the claw45 is in the upper storage position so that no vacuum is drawn in theclaw. When the claw is moved downwardly by the operator and swunglaterally beneath the cows udder, the housing 26 will engage the plunger69 to lock the arm assembly and claw in the lower milking position. Inaddition, the lower end of the housing will engage and deflect a leafspring 116 which is connected to an arm 117 of a switch 1 l8, andactuation of the switch 118 will energize solenoid 97 to therebyestablish the vacuum from the milk pipeline through the cup 80 and hose53 to the claw 45. As the milk begins to flow through the hose 53 intothe cup 80, the milk level will rise causing the float 105 to rise. Asmall amount of milk will drain through the drain opening 112, but asthe volume of milk entering the cup will normally be substantiallygreater than that volume draining through drain 112, the level of milkwill build up until it overflows through the outlet nipple 110. duringthe normal milking operation, the float will be in the position shown inFIG. 10.

As the teats are milked out, the flow of milk into the cup 80 will ceasecausing the level of milk in the cup 80 to recede due to drainingthrough the drain 112. Whenthe magnet 106 in float 105 descends to aposition surrounding the reed switch 107, the switch 107 will beactuated to deenergize the solenoid 97 and enable the valve 90 to moveto the closed position, thereby cutting off the vacuum to the teat cups.Actuation of the reed switch 107 also energizes the latching solenoid 77to release the locking plunger 69 so that the housing 26 will moveupwardly through the action of clock spring 58. The force of the spring58 is correlated with the vacuum so that when the latching solenoid 77is relased, the housing 26 will only move to a position slightly abovethe latching position due to the fact that the force of the facuumholding the teat cups on the teats is slightly greater than the force ofthe clock spring 58. However, once atmospheric pressure is restored tothe claw by virtue of valve 90 closing and the teat cups are released,the force of the spring 58 will the be sufficient to move the housingupwardly to its storage position. This feature prevents the arm assemblyand claw from moving upwardly to the storage position until the teatcups are released from the teats.

FIG. 14 is a wiring diagram for the milking unit. As shown in the wiringdiagram, power lines 119 and 120 are connected to a suitable source ofpower, and line 119 is connected to the terminal 121 of a double-pole,double-throw switch 122. The switch 122 includes a pair of switch arms123 and 124 with switch arm 123 being connected to terminal 121 andswitch arm 124 being connected to terminal 125.

To begin the milking operation, the switch 122 is moved to the milkposition which connects the switch 123 to the contact 126 andsimultaneously connects the switch arm 124 to the contact 127. Movingthe switch 122 to the milk position supplies power to the normally openswitch 118 which is located in the bottom of the casing 72.

When the operator moves the claw 45 downwardly to the milking position,the housing 26 will deflect the leaf spring 1 16 which is connected toswitch 118 to thereby close the switch 118. Closing the switch 118supplies power through line 128 and the normally closed contacts 137-1to the milk valve solenoid 97. Power is also supplied through line 129to light the vacuumon light 30. Energizing the solenoid 97 opens themilk valve to thereby establish vacuum from the milk pipeline to theclaw 45. In addition, closing of the switch 118 supplies power throughlines 131 and 132, contact 127, switch arm 124, and line 133 to thetimer 134 to thereby energize the timer to begin the preset timingperiod. When the timer 134 times out, swtich 135 in lines 136 is closed.Relay 137 and reed switch 107 are connected in series in the line 136with the switch 135.

Closing of the switch 135 will initiate two possible sequence of eventsdepending on whether milk has started to flow from the claw 45 to thecup 80. In the event milk does not flow into the cup 80 and the floatremains in its lower position, the reed switch 107 will be closed andthus when the timer 134 times out and the switch is closed, the relay136 will be energized to open the normally closed contacts 137-1 andclose the normally open contacts 137-2. Opening the contacts 137-1 willdeenergize the solenoid 97 to thereby close the milk valve and shut offthe vacuum to the claw. Closing of the contacts 137-2 will energize thesolenoid 77 to withdraw the plunger 69 and thereby permit the housing tobe moved upwardly to the storage position through the action of thespring 58. Closing of the contacts .l37--2 also supply power throughline 139 to light the vacuum-off light 140.

The upward movement of the housing 26 along with the claw supporting armassembly causes the switch 1 18 to open which shuts off power to all ofthe components and resets the timed delay relay, indicated generally by141.

ln the event that milk flows from the claw 45 into the cup 80, the float105 containing the magnet 106 rises to open the reed switch 107. Thus,when the timer 134 times out to close the switch 135 no action willoccur because the line 136 is open by virtue of the open reed switch107.

However, when the milk flow ceases and the float 105 descends try aposition such that it closes the reed I opened to shut off the power tothe components and reset the timed delay relay 141.

The milking system of the invention eliminates a substantial portion ofthe labor ordinarily required in a milking operation. The dairyman needonly lower the claw, attach the teat cups to the teats and adjust theposition of the claw and is not required to remove the teat cups afterthe milking is completed, nor remove the claw from beneath the cowsudder. The automatic release mechanism is a master type in which thevacuum is shut off when the flow of milk from all four teats is reducedto a predetermined rate. The automatic release mechanism eliminatesovermilking and. possible udder injuries. While the automatic releasemechanism is shown as associated with the retractable arm assembly whichcarries the claw, it is contemplated that the automatic releasemechanism can be used independently.

With the use of the automatic retracting mechanism,

the claw is not only moved laterally from the position beneath the cowsudder, but is also elevated to a level where it will not interfere withmovement of the dairyman in the aisle adjacentthe milk stalls, nor willit interfere with movement of the cow from the milking stall. As afurther advantage, the system can be readily cleaned in place withoutthe removal of components by passing the cleaning solution through thesystem in the same path that the milk takes during the milkingoperation.

The position and inclination of the claw 45 is universally adjustabledue to the adjustable connections of arms 32, 33 and 39, as well as theadjustment of ball 47 of bale assembly 44 on the seat 43. In additionthe en-' tire milking unit 10 can be moved along track 13 by virtue ofthe trolley suspension 15.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the following ,claims'particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter which'is regarded as theinvention.

We claim: 1. An automatic release mechanism for a milking appratus,comprising a milk receiving receptacle milk conduit means connecting amilking apparatus to the receptacle for conducting milk to thereceptacle, valve means in said milk conduit means for opening andclosing said milk conduit means, second conduit means connecting asourceof vacuum to the upper portion of said receptacle, valve openingmeans'for opening said valve meansto establish a vacuum through thereceptacle'and milk conduit means to the milking apparatus, float meansdisposed within the receptacle and disposed to rise and descend withinthe receptacle in accordance with the level of milk therein, a magneticmember, a magnetically operable switch member, a first of said membersbeing connected to said float means and the second of said members beingdisposed adjacent the bottom of the rectptacle, said switch memberdisposed to be actuated by said magnetic member when the float means isat a lower portion in the recep- 10 tacle, and valve closing means forclosing the valve means on actuation of said switch member as the levelof milk descends within said receptacle and said float means descends tosaid lower position.

2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said magnetic member is connectedto the float means and switch member is connected to said receptacle.

3. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said valve I opening means includesa solenoid connected to the valve means.

4. The mechanism of claim 3, wherein said switch member isinterconnected with said solenoid whereby actuation of said switchmember will deenergize the solenoid to permit closing of said valvemeans.

5. The mechanism of claim 2, and including a vertical post mountedcentrally within the receptacle, said float means being annular andsurrounding said post.

6. The mechanism of claim 5, wherein said switch member is located inthe lower portion of said post, and said magnetic member is annular inshape and surrounds the post. I

7. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said valve closing means comprisesa pressure responsive member connected to said valve means, saidpressure responsive member being responsive to a differential inpressure between the atmosphere and the source vacuum and acting to urgethe valve means to the closed position.

8. The mechanism of claim 7, wherein the pressure responsive member is adiaphragm operably connected to said valve means, one surface of saiddiaphragm being exposed to the atmosphere and the opposite surface ofthe diaphragm being exposed to said vacuum source.

9. the mechanism of claim 1, wherein said switch member is a reedswitchv 10. The mechanism of claim 5, and including a drain outlet inthe lower end of the receptacle, said drain outlet being disposed to beclosed off by the float means when the float means is in the lowerposition.

11. An automatic milking system comprising a supporting structurelocated adjacent a milking stall, a milking apparatus mounted formovement on the supporting structure between an upper storage positionand a lower milking'position, biasing means for biasing the milkingapparatus to the upper storage position, latching means for latching themilking apparatus in the lower position, vacuum supply means forestablishing a vacuum to the milking apparatus to thereby withdraw milkfrom an animals teats, automatic release means connected to the milkingapparatus and responsive to a predetermined minimum flow of milk forclosing the vacuum means to the milking apparatus and releasing saidmilking apparauts from the animals teats, and means responsive tooperation of said automatic release means for unlatching said latchingmeans to permit the milking apparatus to be moved by said biasing meansto the upper storage position.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the foece of said biasing means isless than the force of said vacuum, whereby the biasing means willnotact to move the milking apparatus upwardly until the milking apparatusis removed from the animal s teats through loss of pressuredifferential.

- 13. The system of claim 11, wherein said supporting structure includesa generally vertical column and a housing mounted for sliding movementon said column,

- ing.-

14. The system of claim 13, wherein said biasing means is engaged withsaid housing and is located above said housing.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein said latching means is engageablewith said housing to lock the milking apparatus in the lower milkingposition.

16. The system of claim 13, and including means for rotating the housingthrough a given are with respect to theaxis of the column as the milkingapparatus is moved from the lower milking position to the upper storageposition.

I 17. The system of claim 16, wherein said means for rotating thehousing comprising a guide track connected to the column and a followerconnected to the housing, the upper portion of said guide track beingstraight and the lower portion of said track being curved whereby travelof said follower on said curved portion will act to rotate said housingthrough said arc.

18. The system of claim 1 1, and including means responsive to latchingof said milking apparatus in the lower position for actuating saidvacuum supply means and establishing a vacuum to said milking apparatus.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, and including timing means, meansresponsive to latching of said milking apparatus in the lower positionfor actuating said timing means and timing out a pre-set time period,and means responsive to the timing out of said preset period forrendering said automatic release means operable, whereby said automaticrelease means will be operable to close the vacuum means to the milkingapparatus if the milk flow is below said minimum flow rate.

20. An automatic milking system comprising a supporting structurelocated adjacent a milking stall, a milking apparatus mounted formovement on the supporting structure between an upper storage positionand a lower milking positiombiasing means for biasing the milkingapparatus to the upper storage position, latching means for latching themilking apparatus in the lower milking position, vacuum supply means, amilk receiving receptacle, milk conduit means connecting the milkingapparatus to the receptacle for conducting milk to the receptacle, valvemeans in said milk conduit means, second conduit means connecting saidvacuum supply means to the upper portion of the receptacle, meansresponsive to operation of said latching means for opening said valvemeans to establish a vacuum through the receptacle and milk conduitmeans to the milking apparatus, float means disposed within thereceptacle and disposed to rise and descend within the receptacle inaccordance with the level of milk therein,

a magnetic member, a magnetically operable switch member, a first ofsaid members being connected to said float means and the second of saidmembers being disposed adjacent the bottom of the receptacle, saidswitch member disposed to be actuated by said magnetic member when thefloat means is at a lower portion in the receptacle, valve closing meansfor closing the valve means on acuation of said switch member as thelevel of milk descends within said receptacle and said float meansdescends to said lower position, and means responsive to the operationof said valve closing means for unlatching said latching means to permitthe miling apparatus to be moved by said biasing means to the upperstorage position. I

21. The system of claim 13, and including an arm assembly connected tosaid housing and supporting said milking apparatus, said arm assemblyhaving adjustment means for varying the position of said milkingapparatus with respect to the housing.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said adjustment means includes aball member connected to the milking apparatus, socket means connectedto said arm assembly and disposed to receive said ball member, andlocking means for locking said ball member to said socket means.

23. The system of claim 11, and including mounting means for mountingthe supporting structure for horizontal movement with respect to themilking stall.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said mounting means includes agenerally horizontal track disposed a substantial distance above saidmilking stall, guide means disposed to ride on the track, and suspendingmeans for suspending the supporting structure from said guide means,whereby the supporting structure can be moved along the milking stall asthe guide means rides on said track.

25. The system of claim 24, and including means engageable with thesupporting structure at a location,

spaced a substantial distance beneath the track for maintaining thesupporting structure in a generally vertical attitude.

26. The mechanism of claim 1, and including means responsive to movementof the milking appartus to a milking position for operating said valveopening means to thereby open said valve means and establish a vacuum tothe milking apparatus.

27. The mechanism of claim 1, and including a fixed supporting structuredisposed adjacent said milking stall, said receptacle being mounted onthe supporting structure.

1. An automatic release mechanism for a milking appratus, comprising amilk receiving receptacle milk conduit means connecting a milkingapparatus to the receptacle for conducting milk to the receptacle, valvemeans in said milk conduit means for opening and closing said milkconduit means, second conduit means connecting a source of vacuum to theupper portion of said receptacle, valve opening means for opening saidvalve means to establish a vacuum through the receptacle and milkconduit means to the milking apparatus, float means disposed within thereceptacle and disposed to rise and descend within the receptacle inaccordance with the level of milk therein, a magnetic member, amagnetically operable switch member, a first of said members beingconnected to said float means and the second of said members beingdisposed adjacent the bottom of the rectptacle, said switch memberdisposed to be actuated by said maGnetic member when the float means isat a lower portion in the receptacle, and valve closing means forclosing the valve means on actuation of said switch member as the levelof milk descends within said receptacle and said float means descends tosaid lower position.
 2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said magneticmember is connected to the float means and switch member is connected tosaid receptacle.
 3. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said valve openingmeans includes a solenoid connected to the valve means.
 4. The mechanismof claim 3, wherein said switch member is interconnected with saidsolenoid whereby actuation of said switch member will deenergize thesolenoid to permit closing of said valve means.
 5. The mechanism ofclaim 2, and including a vertical post mounted centrally within thereceptacle, said float means being annular and surrounding said post. 6.The mechanism of claim 5, wherein said switch member is located in thelower portion of said post, and said magnetic member is annular in shapeand surrounds the post.
 7. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said valveclosing means comprises a pressure responsive member connected to saidvalve means, said pressure responsive member being responsive to adifferential in pressure between the atmosphere and the source vacuumand acting to urge the valve means to the closed position.
 8. Themechanism of claim 7, wherein the pressure responsive member is adiaphragm operably connected to said valve means, one surface of saiddiaphragm being exposed to the atmosphere and the opposite surface ofthe diaphragm being exposed to said vacuum source.
 9. the mechanism ofclaim 1, wherein said switch member is a reed switch.
 10. The mechanismof claim 5, and including a drain outlet in the lower end of thereceptacle, said drain outlet being disposed to be closed off by thefloat means when the float means is in the lower position.
 11. Anautomatic milking system comprising a supporting structure locatedadjacent a milking stall, a milking apparatus mounted for movement onthe supporting structure between an upper storage position and a lowermilking position, biasing means for biasing the milking apparatus to theupper storage position, latching means for latching the milkingapparatus in the lower position, vacuum supply means for establishing avacuum to the milking apparatus to thereby withdraw milk from ananimal''s teats, automatic release means connected to the milkingapparatus and responsive to a predetermined minimum flow of milk forclosing the vacuum means to the milking apparatus and releasing saidmilking apparauts from the animal''s teats, and means responsive tooperation of said automatic release means for unlatching said latchingmeans to permit the milking apparatus to be moved by said biasing meansto the upper storage position.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein thefoece of said biasing means is less than the force of said vacuum,whereby the biasing means will not act to move the milking apparatusupwardly until the milking apparatus is removed from the animal''s teatsthrough loss of pressure differential.
 13. The system of claim 11,wherein said supporting structure includes a generally vertical columnand a housing mounted for sliding movement on said column, said milkingapparatus being connected to said housing.
 14. The system of claim 13,wherein said biasing means is engaged with said housing and is locatedabove said housing.
 15. The system of claim 13, wherein said latchingmeans is engageable with said housing to lock the milking apparatus inthe lower milking position.
 16. The system of claim 13, and includingmeans for rotating the housing through a given arc with respect to theaxis of the column as the milking apparatus is moved from the lowermilking position to the upper storage position.
 17. The system of claim16, wherein said means for rotating the housing comprising a guide trackconnected to the column and a follower connected to the houSing, theupper portion of said guide track being straight and the lower portionof said track being curved whereby travel of said follower on saidcurved portion will act to rotate said housing through said arc.
 18. Thesystem of claim 11, and including means responsive to latching of saidmilking apparatus in the lower position for actuating said vacuum supplymeans and establishing a vacuum to said milking apparatus.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 18, and including timing means, means responsive tolatching of said milking apparatus in the lower position for actuatingsaid timing means and timing out a pre-set time period, and meansresponsive to the timing out of said preset period for rendering saidautomatic release means operable, whereby said automatic release meanswill be operable to close the vacuum means to the milking apparatus ifthe milk flow is below said minimum flow rate.
 20. An automatic milkingsystem comprising a supporting structure located adjacent a milkingstall, a milking apparatus mounted for movement on the supportingstructure between an upper storage position and a lower milkingposition, biasing means for biasing the milking apparatus to the upperstorage position, latching means for latching the milking apparatus inthe lower milking position, vacuum supply means, a milk receivingreceptacle, milk conduit means connecting the milking apparatus to thereceptacle for conducting milk to the receptacle, valve means in saidmilk conduit means, second conduit means connecting said vacuum supplymeans to the upper portion of the receptacle, means responsive tooperation of said latching means for opening said valve means toestablish a vacuum through the receptacle and milk conduit means to themilking apparatus, float means disposed within the receptacle anddisposed to rise and descend within the receptacle in accordance withthe level of milk therein, a magnetic member, a magnetically operableswitch member, a first of said members being connected to said floatmeans and the second of said members being disposed adjacent the bottomof the receptacle, said switch member disposed to be actuated by saidmagnetic member when the float means is at a lower portion in thereceptacle, valve closing means for closing the valve means on acuationof said switch member as the level of milk descends within saidreceptacle and said float means descends to said lower position, andmeans responsive to the operation of said valve closing means forunlatching said latching means to permit the miling apparatus to bemoved by said biasing means to the upper storage position.
 21. Thesystem of claim 13, and including an arm assembly connected to saidhousing and supporting said milking apparatus, said arm assembly havingadjustment means for varying the position of said milking apparatus withrespect to the housing.
 22. The system of claim 21, wherein saidadjustment means includes a ball member connected to the milkingapparatus, socket means connected to said arm assembly and disposed toreceive said ball member, and locking means for locking said ball memberto said socket means.
 23. The system of claim 11, and including mountingmeans for mounting the supporting structure for horizontal movement withrespect to the milking stall.
 24. The system of claim 23, wherein saidmounting means includes a generally horizontal track disposed asubstantial distance above said milking stall, guide means disposed toride on the track, and suspending means for suspending the supportingstructure from said guide means, whereby the supporting structure can bemoved along the milking stall as the guide means rides on said track.25. The system of claim 24, and including means engageable with thesupporting structure at a location spaced a substantial distance beneaththe track for maintaining the supporting structure in a generallyvertical attitude.
 26. The mechanism of claim 1, and including meansresponsive to movement of the milking appartus to a mIlking position foroperating said valve opening means to thereby open said valve means andestablish a vacuum to the milking apparatus.
 27. The mechanism of claim1, and including a fixed supporting structure disposed adjacent saidmilking stall, said receptacle being mounted on the supportingstructure.